General Comment1. A more literal interpretation: A long distance relationship that didn't work out. The passion is gone and they're only holding on for convience. So she decides to let him go.
2. A more personal interpretation: She had a crush on him but then they were separated (went away to college perhaps?) and now she realizes she doesn't feel the same about him anymore so she lets go of the memory of him.

General CommentI personally think this song relates to something that happened to me.

"i hear you through the wire, the words all sound like noise, what happened to the fire in your voice"

i think this means, he called her on the telephone to tell her something upsetting. Possibly to break up with her, and she's wondering what the hell happened.

"Don't try to hide the distance
It's just too big to ignore
We work it out like business
It won't work anymore "

I think this is referring to an emotional distance, like them perhaps growing apart. He claims there is no distance, she tells him not to deny it, as she feels it is blatant. They try and discuss this and work it out, but they can't.

"Still sometimes late at night
Moonlight comes into my window
I make believe it's how it used to be"

She might feel vunerable without him, and find it easier to delude herself into thinking that they are still together, and everything is still the same.

" We made it look so easy
We never tried to resist
Somehow you stopped believing
Somehow we've come to this"

They may have had one of those perfect relatioships, everyone thought would last forever, it was almost fairytale like. Until he stopped believing in them, and everything fell apart, and that's why they seperated.

"It was never meant to be
So I'll set you free"

This is basically her saying that she'll foget about him, as it obviously wasn't meant to be for them to be together.

"So now that I must go on
What more can I do
What good is being strong
When all I ever really want is you"

I think she is saying that now she has to get on with her life without him, and doesn't know were to begin.
She is trying to be strong without him, when she would rather him take her back and effectivly be weak.

Song MeaningI too completely agree with Xsnowxwhitex as portrayed above - and too, I can (could) totally relate to this song when it came out. (pun intended).

Often missed, or misinterpreted though in this song is one of it's crowning moments.. the crescendo of emotion that only Susanna Hoffs could portray with such reality that you can feel it: when the girls in the background are singing behind her " .. all I want is you-u, all I want is you " .. followed with the questioning, searching for one last desparate shred of some reason to hold onto one another : "Did you want what I want? Do you want what I wanted?? ..

The verse so completely hits the mark on the powerful feeling of want, desire, and desperation in this song. It's almost palpable. I almost always shed tears when I close my eyes and listen to this ending. it hits so close to home. And even if it didn't - THIS is what it feels like.

Clearly, it's about a love in it's dying days.. and how desperate and sad the realization of that moment when it comes can be. Susanna Hoffs at her very very best.